He could understand Seth and Bianca needing time for themselves, but what was the deal with Dn and Healy? He couldn''t get ahold of them either.


    "Busy is good, busy is good," he muttered to himself.


    He went out for dinner alone, choosing a rather upscale restaurant. Just as he sat down, he saw Noreen. Jude reflexively ducked under the table, terrified of being seen. Only after he was sure she had left did he straighten up and peer through the floor-to-ceiling window.


    Noreen was helping Professor Halley Joyner into a car, her movements full of care. Jude had always known Noreen was a skilledworker, but he never imagined she could win over someone like Professor Joyner, who was notoriously entric. Countless wealthy and powerful people had tried to curry favor with him and failed. Noreen was certainly impressive.


    Just as Jude was marveling at this, Dn''s car pulled up smoothly in front of Noreen. Jude''s brow furrowed. Dn got out, walked over to Professor Joyner''s car, and leaned down to exchange a few words with him. Then, he and Noreen stood side-by-side, watching as the car drove away.


    In that moment, Jude revised his earlier conclusion. Noreen hadn''t won over the old professor on her own; she had done it through Dn. As Dn''s cousin, Jude knew perfectly well that Dn was Halley''s protégé. Dn was obviously so smitten with Noreen that he was willing to act as her bridge.


    But wasn''t that incredibly unfair to Bianca? She was studying so hard. If she lost to someone like Noreen who took shortcuts...


    Jude''s expression grew serious. He immediately pulled out his phone and sent a message to Bianca.


    "Bianca, I just saw Noreen having dinner with Professor Joyner. I think Dn set it up. You know Noreen, she''s clever and full of tricks. Who knows if she managed to get some inside information out of him."


    "Maybe you should ask Seth to see if he can pull some strings, get you a meeting with Professor Joyner too, just to get your face out there."


    Bianca must have been studying, as she didn''t reply right away. By the time her message came, Jude had already finished his meal.


    Bianca wrote, "There''s no need. I''ll prove myself with my own abilities."


    Her simple words filled Jude with respect. Bianca was truly no ordinary woman!


    Her talent was her confidence. She didn''t need to resort to underhanded methods like Noreen.


    Jude felt a surge of contempt for Noreen''s tactics, especially when he remembered he was still at her


    mercy. His father was getting old


    his judgment clouded, and hon


    foolishly handed the familypany over to her.


    Jude made a snap decision and sent another message to Bianca.


    "Bianca, I''ve thought it over. I''m investing in PerseTech!"


    This time, Bianca''s reply came quickly. "It''s about time you woke up."


    After exchanging a few more grateful words with Bianca, Jude was in a much better mood.


    Meanwhile, Bianca received a video


    call from William. She answered immediately, her voice sweet and intimate. Professor what took yoth so long to call? I''ve been waiting for you!"


    "So eager, are we, my dear?" William''s cloudy eyes narrowed, his gaze crawling


    over Bianca''s body like a sticky spiderweb.


    Bianca slowly traced a line from her chin downward with a slender finger, guiding his view. William''s eyes darkened, and his breathing grew Tagged. Lower, my dear, a little lower..."


    Just as she was about toply, a knock sounded at her door.